[Overtreatment of patients with basal cell carcinoma: active surveillance should be considered more often]

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer type in the Netherlands and frequently diagnosed in older adults. Unlike other common forms of skin cancer (squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma), BCC generally grows slowly and the risk of metastasis and/or death is extremely small. In the first years after presentation, BCC often causes no or only minor complaints. Nevertheless, the vast majority of patients with BCC are treated immediately after diagnosis, usually with surgical excision. We think that overtreatment of patients with BCC is common and active surveillance may be an excellent alternative for patients with a limited life expectancy and should therefore be considered more often.